Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

We are requesting funds for a new Laser Scanning Confocal (LSC) microscope, which will be used to image molecular events within cultured cells, tissues and whole organisms. This equipment will be primarily used to support our NSERC-funded research programs in cell biology that study the fundamental mechanisms that drive biological membrane partitioning; fusion and fission; protein sorting in context to endocytosis, receptor recycling and second messenger signaling; synaptic plasticity; cytoskeletal reorganization; cell division; and chloroplast biogenesis. Because the microscope will be available to the entire Concordia research community, it will also examine nanoparticles and nanocarrier internalization by human cancer cells, in support of the University's growing nanotechnology program, and to image brain tissue in support of an emerging neuro-optogenetics program. Importantly, this new system will replace the only LSC microscope on campus, a keystone piece of infrastructure used daily by Concordia researchers for 13 years. Although it was upgraded in 2008 to extend its life span, this outdated system requires frequent repairs and has limited capabilities, e.g. the hardware and software can no longer be upgraded (and are difficult and expensive to repair), the relatively low laser power combined with slow detectors limits the types of samples that can be imaged, and it is very time consuming to use. Thus, this old system is beginning to hinder our ability to compete at an international level in our fields of research. Because this new microscope system supports a wide-range of programs, it will encourage collaborative, multidisciplinary research between members of our diverse scientific community - bridging physiology, neuroscience, immunology, oncology, plant sciences, biophysics and nanotechnology. Furthermore, this state-of-the-art equipment will ensure that the nearly 90 young scientists and personnel will get high-quality training in modern microscopy techniques, allowing them to make major contributions to Canada's competitive academic and industrial sectors in biotechnology, nanotechnology and medicine.